Bell 206B accident near Clarkson Valley, MO
On October 15, 2010, a Bell 206B (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Clarkson Valley, MO. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- October 15, 2010
- Place
- Clarkson Valley, MO
- Aircraft
- Bell 206B · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 38.633°N, 90.598°W
- NTSB ID
- 20101015X73141
Official records · CEN11GA020
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 15, 2010, at 1110 central daylight time, a Bell 206B, N96MP, operated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), impacted terrain near Clarkson Valley, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight last departed from Arnold, Missouri, about 1053 and was en route to Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS), St. Louis, Missouri. Two MSHP Troopers arrived at the Arnold Police Department, located in Arnold, Missouri, about 0845, to fly with the pilot on a speed enforcement operation in the accident helicopter. They saw the helicopter approach from the east and land in a field just south of the police department shortly before 0900. Shortly after 0900, the flight departed from the field and headed towards interstate 55. The trooper who was seated in the front seat stated that while the helicopter was en route, he observed that the fuel gauge was “slightly above 25.” The trooper stated that the pilot pointed to the altimeter and said that the altitude was 1,500 feet. The trooper also stated that the pilot said that he would not be able to “stay up as long as normal” because he would have to obtain fuel before his next flight in Franklin County at 1200. After over an hour of flying, the pilot informed the troopers that he would perform an additional speed enforcement, which was completed about two minutes later. While returning to the Arnold Police Department,
Probable cause
The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and decision-making, and his improper control inputs following the loss of engine power, which resulted in mast bumping and separation of the main rotor. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper judgment in acting as a pilot with disqualifying medical conditions.
More accidents in MO
- British Aerospace Jetstream 32, Oct 20, 2004
- Pacific Aerospace Ltd 750XL, Jun 14, 2026
- De Havilland DHC-6-100, Jul 29, 2006
- Beech E-55, Jul 13, 2001
- Cessna U206G, Mar 21, 1998
Browse: Missouri · Bell aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
